The Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (Ray Baum's) Act FCC reauthorization and spectrum legislative package (HR-4986) and other tech and telecom policy provisions included in the $1.3 trillion FY 2018 omnibus spending bill (HR-1625) moved a step closer to enactment Thursday when the House passed the measure 256-167. House leaders released the bill's full text Wednesday evening after a deal between President Donald Trump and Capitol Hill leaders (see 1803210041 and 1803210068). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., filed cloture on the spending bill late Thursday, setting up a first vote around 1 a.m. Saturday, shortly after the current continuing resolution to fund the government is set to expire. McConnell and others remained concerned Thursday that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., might move to force a brief government shutdown, as he did in February (see 1802060054 and Notebook at the end of 1802090050).
The Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (Ray Baum's) Act FCC reauthorization and spectrum legislative package (HR-4986) and other tech and telecom policy provisions included in the $1.3 trillion FY 2018 omnibus spending bill (HR-1625) moved a step closer to enactment Thursday when the House passed the measure 256-167. House leaders released the bill's full text Wednesday evening after a deal between President Donald Trump and Capitol Hill leaders (see 1803210041 and 1803210068). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., filed cloture on the spending bill late Thursday, setting up a first vote around 1 a.m. Saturday, shortly after the current continuing resolution to fund the government is set to expire. McConnell and others remained concerned Thursday that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., might move to force a brief government shutdown, as he did in February (see 1802060054 and Notebook at the end of 1802090050).
The FCC approved changes to wireless infrastructure rules, aimed at speeding deployment of small cells to pave the way for 5G, 3-2 Thursday over dissents by Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel, as expected (see 1803070044). Both said the order had problems that need to be fixed and a vote should have been postponed. Tribes and groups representing local and state governments raised repeated objections. Security removed a protester complaining about RF issues after the vote at what was a lightly attended meeting. A robocalling FNPRM also drew some concerns (see 1803220028), while some other items were less controversial (see 1803220037).
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Wednesday urged the FCC to postpone a vote on wireless infrastructure rules, slated for Thursday. The draft order, developed by Commissioner Brendan Carr, faced criticism from tribal groups concerned about the consultation process and groups representing local governments. With snow still falling in Washington on Wednesday, the FCC said the meeting is to start at 9:30 a.m., unless the Office of Personnel Management delays the opening of the federal government, in which case it will start at 11:30 a.m.
Commissioner Brendan Carr defended the FCC Tuesday against claims the agency hasn’t done enough outreach to tribes as it prepared the wireless infrastructure proposal, set for a vote Thursday. Carr spoke at an event sponsored by the U.S. Black Chambers, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) and the Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP), which support the draft order, though with some concerns.
The UHD Alliance landed a trademark registration certification Tuesday for one of three versions of its Ultra HD Premium certification logo for devices and content with 4K resolution, HDR and wide color gamut, Patent and Trademark Office records show. In November, PTO examiners ordered the alliance to submit a copy “of the standards used to determine who is authorized to use the certification mark.” The alliance responded Jan. 18, linking to “regulations governing the use” of Ultra HD Premium that previously weren’t public. Though no certified content is listed at ExperienceUHD.com, five studios are "utilizing the Ultra HD Premium logo on their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies with an increased level of releases occurring throughout the coming year," said alliance President Mike Fidler.
The UHD Alliance landed a trademark registration certification Tuesday for one of three versions of its Ultra HD Premium certification logo for devices and content with 4K resolution, HDR and wide color gamut, Patent and Trademark Office records show. In November, PTO examiners ordered the alliance to submit a copy “of the standards used to determine who is authorized to use the certification mark.” The alliance responded Jan. 18, linking to “regulations governing the use” of Ultra HD Premium that previously weren’t public. Though no certified content is listed at ExperienceUHD.com, five studios are "utilizing the Ultra HD Premium logo on their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies with an increased level of releases occurring throughout the coming year," said alliance President Mike Fidler.
The Competitive Carriers Association urged the FCC to approve changes to wireless infrastructure rules at Thursday's commissioners’ meeting. But the agency also continues to receive filings from tribal, historic preservation groups and groups representing local governments slamming the draft order. Former Commissioner Michael Copps said the FCC should take a pause. “There is no compelling need for FCC to rush approval next week of new wireless infrastructure rules until it has met in good faith its trust and consultation obligations to affected tribal areas,” Copps tweeted Thursday. “Doesn’t appear that’s really happened yet.”
The UHD Alliance landed a trademark registration certificate Tuesday for one of three versions of its Ultra HD Premium certification logo for devices and content with 4K resolution, HDR and wide color gamut, Patent and Trademark Office records show. The alliance applied for the trademark on the eve of the 2016 CES, where the logo was introduced (see 1601030003).
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF) Thursday protested parts of draft wireless infrastructure rules, scheduled for a vote at next week’s commissioners’ meeting. The filing was the most concerted push by tribal groups so far against the draft order. Other tribes also continue to weigh in, as does industry. Meanwhile, Commissioner Brendan Carr, who has overseen the order, was in Baltimore Thursday to tour small-cell installations.